Rochdale holds Grand Iftar

Rochdale Grand Iftar

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Hundreds of people united to enjoy The Big Iftar in Rochdale.

The event brought people of different faiths, backgrounds and communities from all across Greater Manchester together for Iftar, the breaking of the fast, with Muslims and a short memorial outside the Town Hall.

The event started with a short tribute video related to the Manchester attack and Guest speeches including the Deputy Mayor, Mohammed Zaman and Chief Superintendent Neil Evans.

Sohail Hussain said: “Many lives, families and communities have been affected by the actions of the inhumane terrorists who have tried to attack the peace of our country but the diversity that could be seen through out the room was simply amazing.

“We must unite in these difficult times to show support for those who have lost loved ones in this tragic event.

"I would like to thank all the Catalyst members Mustafa, Ayesha, Samra, Ibrar, Asif, Shabana, for coming together to plan, organize and deliver the event.”

Father Paul Daly said: “I do read the passage of the Quran every day during Ramadan and it reinforces my mind. I knew it already that all of us, people of different faiths and no faiths, we all utterly condemn the attacks in Manchester and London.

“You know and I know that those evil deeds are not acting in the name of god or religion but of evil. So it’s so important that we stand together as people of one voice speaking out against such acts.”

The Rochdale Catalyst group is an organisation, funded by Near Neighbours, that works on bringing young people together through interfaith work and that provides leadership skills and a platform for the voice to be heard.

The event ended with candle lighting and a short memorial service where guest laid flowers to honour victims and families of the attack at Rochdale Memorial Gardens.

Organised by the Rochdale Catalyst Group, the dinner aimed to keep different faiths, backgrounds and communities united against hate crime and Islamophobia.